Venice bans larger tourist groups, loudspeakers and some lingering

The city of Venice will ban tourist groups consisting of more than 25 people accompanied by tour guides and will also outlaw loudspeakers on such tours, the city council decided on Saturday.

The rules also prevent stopping at narrow streets, bridges or places of passage. The new measures take effect on June 1.

The decisions, made on the council's last meeting this year, are part of its effort to limit mass tourism and its negative effects on the northern Italian lagoon city. The rules apply to the city center and the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.